Jonathan Kuminga is a young player surrounded by veterans looking for one last chance at a ring. This has led to the forward being phased out of the rotation more often than not, something he is not exactly thrilled about. Should the Golden State Warriors ignore Kuminga, or could the forward inject the team with a youthful spark?
What the Warriors Should Do With Jonathan Kuminga
Recently, reports have surfaced that the 2021 lottery pick is unhappy with his role in Golden State. This comes after Kuminga was forced to sit during the final 18 minutes of the Denver Nuggets game. In that loss, he had 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists in just 19 minutes.
Being benched while putting up that sort of production would vex anyone, and a deeper look into Kuminga’s numbers shows this isn’t a one-off.
Spark Plug
Kuminga is averaging 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 58% true shooting for the season. When you add in the fact that he only plays 22.5 minutes per game, you have a solid player coming off your bench who can get efficient buckets and provide much-needed energy to a rather lethargic roster that is in the middle of the pack in terms of pace.
Additionally, the forward is extremely athletic and can use that to be a menace at the rim. 56.7% of Kuminga’s points come in the paint this season. Those points are not inefficient either, as a 65.7% conversion rate on paint shots is well above the league average.
To summarise Kuminga’s skillset, he is a rangy and defensively active forward who may be a bit raw but is an excellent athlete. He has great finishing ability in the paint while not requiring the ball to work, as many of his points come from cuts, putbacks, and lobs. When he has the ball, he is normally quick to try to do something with it. However, this can lead to him being hasty and turning the ball over. Such an issue could be polished with playing time and more experience, something he is currently lacking. The reason for this can be determined by looking at the Warriors’ roster and coaching.
One Last Dance
The Warriors still rely on the core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. While this led to a dynasty in the past, in this current era, a core of those three just doesn’t cut it anymore. Curry has slowed a bit, but his running mates are clearly starting to lag behind.
This problem only worsens when you consider head coach Steve Kerr’s insistence on the same lineups. It does not matter if Thompson takes questionable shots and has dropped off defensively. It also does not matter that Green has become a non-factor offensively. Despite the writing on the wall, the Warriors seem intent on going out on their shield.
This leaves Kuminga in a rough spot. He is skilled enough that he would have a prominent role on even contending rosters. Still, in a place like Golden State, he is unable to get consistent opportunities to grow and prove he can contribute due to being stonewalled by questionable rotations. It’s no wonder he feels he is at a crossroads with the Warriors.
What Should Be Done With Kuminga
Following the Nuggets game, Kuminga received a team-high 36 minutes against the Detroit Pistons. Either this needs to happen more, or the Warriors need to trade Kuminga if they want to commit to their current way. He is simply too talented to keep on the bench. Plenty of teams would be willing to give up a pretty penny for the forward’s services. However, Kuminga is a dynamo of a player. Keeping him could greatly help the Warriors now and in the future.
